My recent visit to the Tanger Outlet Center out in Riverhead, Long Island (about an hour drive from the city; New York City, that is) had me foaming in the mouth from the incredibly plentiful and relatively affordable home goods and kitchenware at the Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn stores there.
I repeat: Incredibly plentiful. Relatively affordable.
You’ve seen my kitchen. I’m a fanatic when it comes to buying kitchenware (and home decor items now that I own an apartment, but that’s another story for another day). I don’t nearly splurge on clothes, shoes, bags or jewelry the way I do in the home goods and kitchenware departments. Stores like Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, Bed Bath and Beyond, Crate & Barrel, Pier 1 Imports, and of course Target, make me feel like I’m a fat kid in a candy store.
After living in Singapore, I realized that the choices of home goods and kitchenware are very, very limited. There aren’t enough exciting varieties. I’ve also observed that while some of the things I used to see and familiar with in New York are available there too, the prices are grossly marked up.
I know, I know. New York is New York. It’s unique in its own way, I will forever be biased, and it is not fair to compare. I shouldn’t be whining (I’m not) about Singapore because I could be in a much worse-off situation like living in a less global, less affluent, less efficient city with poor infrastructure, contaminated tap water and dodgy public transportation. I am also grateful to have the luxury to be back in New York at least once yearly where I can shop and eat to my heart’s content. (Have you seen the food that I eat whenever I’m back States-side? Follow and stalk my Instagram.)
Since there are many of you reading this who are kitchenware junkies like me too, here’s sharing what got me excited (and cursing*) at the Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn outlets I went to a few days ago.
* Cursing because I would SO want to buy many of what I saw, except that I am traveling like a commoner and allowed just 2 pieces of check-in baggage weighing 23kg each. Ughhh, I had to restrain myself.
An example on what I mean abt price markups, KitchenAid mixer is US$349 retail (plus $100 off at outlet) versus SG$899 retail, in US and SG respectively. FYI currently US$1 = SG$1.20. Therefore, it sucks to buy it in SG.
Apply same riddonkculous and grossly marked up scenario above to these Le Creuset Dutch ovens too.
And these.
And these. Gawd, these Calphalon pans are so sexy. And 30% off! *biting fingers*
White dinnerware! (Alright, I have enough white for the moment.)
Ooooohhhhh, gold baking pan. Sooooo purrrtttyyy.
I own over a half dozen tongs, and sometimes wonder why I’d need more. But, but, but, tongs are great. The more, the better… Maybe? Just kidding.
I don’t need this but I think it’s cool to have a whipping cream gadget. Small enough and easy to clean up, rather than using a KA mixer to whip – or worse, by hand.
The monologue in my head goes, protect with bubblewrap before putting inside suitcase? Or maybe hand carry is safer hmmm. How many can I get before they are too heavy to lug back?
Spied a volume on new flavors in classic desserts, very very tempting.
In the end all I purchased was a 8″ Calphalon pan. I did exceptionally well in the self-restraint department. But I just got to New York last week, ain’t gonna unleash the shopping madness yet. There’s plenty of time for that before I leave. ;)
Big kiss from Big Apple,
-MB.
You might also like
